By SEMA Editors
 Bill Trumpfheller |
Bill Trumpfheller, president and CEO of the Nuffer, Smith, Tucker public relations firm in San Diego, suffered cardiac arrest while in the San Bernardino mountains with his family last week. He passed away December 29.
Trumpfheller joined Nuffer, Smith, Tucker as an intern in 1986 and became its president in 2000. As the PR firm that represented WD-40, Trumpfheller was instrumental in putting together the SEMA Cares/WD-40 relationship eight years ago.
He also directed organizations ranging from the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross to the San Diego State University Alumni Association to CowParade La Jolla, according to the San Diego Union Tribune. He was named Public Relations Professional of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America’s local chapter, which also presented him with the Otto Bos Lifetime Achievement Award and the Eva Irving Award for Community Service.
Trumpfheller has served on the boards of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Senior Community Centers, LEAD San Diego and the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau. He regularly turned out for fundraising galas supporting the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Council on Literacy and other events.
He is survived by his wife Nola and two daughters. Arrangements for a memorial service are pending.